(4) Base Camp

Dr. K does go to the mountaintop, but not this mountaintop, thank goodness. Even at its most figurative, the language of this speech is beautifully clear, but King also makes numerous allusions to historical figures, the Bible, and events in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement.

Unless you're hauling around a Santa-size knapsack of historical knowledge, that can feel like a lot of ground to cover. It's also a pretty long speech, and it doesn't just get straight to the point—in fact, it has a lot of points—so don't worry if you find yourself thinking, "Wait, why's he talking about this?" You're not on this trail alone; Shmoop's right behind you with the compasses, harnesses, and carabiners.